"Grade 5-6 is a period of rapid growth - physical, social/emotional, and intellectual - in a child's life. Students at this age are increasingly independent and looking to take on greater responsibility, while still figuring out how to exist in a wider social context. Much of my job is to encourage this growth and to provide students with the tools they need to be able to successfully manage those responsibilities. In my classroom, we focus on goal-setting to help the students determine their academic priorities and hold them accountable for the steps they take to meet their goals. I involve students as active participants in the work of building a classroom culture that provides a safe and empowering space to learn and grow, while instilling a sense of ownership over their education. My teaching style uses Socratic discussion methods and lead learner practices to model problem solving and critical thinking skills, encouraging students to develop strategies they can apply within and beyond the classroom. We practice logic and reasoning skills through dialogue, using thoughtful questions and answers to better understand the material, and apply knowledge through a combination of book work and self-directed project-based learning. Education is not a one-size-fits-all discipline, and Cranberry's small class sizes allow the flexibility to meet students at their level and tailor instruction to meet their specific learning needs. I emphasize growth mindset, and aim to create an environment where students are motivated and excited to  learn."